The Best Fruits and Vegetables to Grow in Las Vegas

Growing food in Las Vegas is very doable — you just work with the desert's two growing seasons and give crops a break from the worst of the summer heat. Here's what thrives and when to plant it.

Two growing seasons — and one brutal summer

Unlike colder climates, the valley has a cool season and a warm season, with a punishing mid-summer stretch when many plants stall. Time your planting to those windows and you can harvest much of the year.

Cool-season crops (plant fall & late winter)

• Leafy greens: lettuce, spinach, kale, Swiss chard
• Roots: carrots, radishes, beets
• Brassicas: broccoli, cauliflower, cabbage
• Peas, garlic, and onions

Warm-season crops (plant spring & again late summer)

• Tomatoes and peppers (get them in early)
• Eggplant, squash, and zucchini
• Cucumbers, melons, and beans
• Okra, sweet potatoes, and corn — true heat lovers

Set tomatoes out early: once daytime highs push past the mid-90s, many varieties pause fruiting until it cools. Okra and sweet potatoes, on the other hand, love the peak heat.

Fruit that thrives in the desert

• Pomegranate, figs, and grapes — classic low-desert winners
• Jujube — extremely heat- and drought-tolerant
• Low-chill apples, peaches, and apricots (choose desert-suited varieties)
• Citrus in pots you can protect from winter frost

Beat the desert soil and heat

• Amend the alkaline, caliche-heavy soil with lots of compost — or use raised beds
• Use shade cloth over beds during peak summer
• Water deeply in the early morning and mulch to hold moisture

Need raised beds built, drip irrigation run, or soil amended before you plant? A local pro can get your garden set up right.